U.S. patent application number 13/562912 was filed with the patent office on 2013-02-07 for case for mobile electronic devices.
This patent application is currently assigned to Gellyfish Technology of Texas, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Christoph M. Rochna. Invention is credited to Christoph M. Rochna.
Application Number | 20130033806 13/562912 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47626810 |
Filed Date | 2013-02-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130033806 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rochna; Christoph M. |
February 7, 2013 |
CASE FOR MOBILE ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Abstract
A case for a mobile electronic device includes a primary body
member having an upper surface and a bottom surface. The body
member includes a long axis and a short axis with an upper edge, a
lower edge, a first lateral edge, and second lateral edge. The body
member further includes a first, second, third and a fourth bend
line extending between the first lateral edge and the second
lateral edge, The first, second, third and fourth bend lines divide
the body member into a first section, a second section, a third
section, a fourth section and fifth section that cover and wrap
about the mobile electronic device when the case is wrapped about
the mobile electronic device. An adhesive strip is secured to the
upper surface of the body member in the area of the fifth
section.
Inventors: |
Rochna; Christoph M.;
(Augsburg, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Rochna; Christoph M. |
Augsburg |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
Gellyfish Technology of Texas,
LLC
|
Family ID: |
47626810 |
Appl. No.: |
13/562912 |
Filed: |
July 31, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61513873 |
Aug 1, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/679.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1628
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/679.01 |
International
Class: |
H05K 5/00 20060101
H05K005/00 |
Claims
1. A case for a mobile electronic device, comprising: a primary
body member having an upper surface and a bottom surface, the
primary body member includes a long axis and a short axis with an
upper edge, a lower edge, a first lateral edge, and second lateral
edge, the primary body member further includes a first lateral bend
line, a second lateral bend line, a third lateral bend line and a
fourth lateral bend line extending between the first lateral edge
and the second lateral edge, the first, second, third and fourth
lateral bend lines divide the primary body member into a first
section, a second section, a third section, a fourth section and
fifth section that cover and wrap about the mobile electronic
device when the case is wrapped about the mobile electronic device;
the first section extends from the upper edge to the first lateral
bend line along the long axis; the second section extends from the
first lateral bend line to the second lateral bend line along the
long axis; the third section extends from the second lateral bend
line to the third lateral bend line along the long axis; the fourth
section extends from the third lateral bend line to the fourth
lateral bend line along the long axis; the fifth section extends
from the fourth lateral bend line to the lower edge along the long
axis; an adhesive strip is secured to the upper surface of the
primary body member in the fifth section.
2. The case according to claim 1, wherein the second section is
shaped and dimensioned to wrap about a first edge of the mobile
electronic device when the case is wrapped about the mobile
electronic device.
3. The case according to claim 1, wherein the third section is
shaped and dimensioned to fit over the upper surface of the mobile
electronic device when the case is wrapped about the mobile
electronic device.
4. The case according to claim 1, wherein the fourth section is
shaped and dimensioned to wrap about a second edge of the mobile
electronic device when the case is wrapped about the mobile
electronic device.
5. The case according to claim 1, wherein the fifth section is
shaped and dimensioned to support a base of the mobile electronic
device when the case is wrapped about the mobile electronic
device.
6. The case according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive strip is a
stretch-release adhesive strip.
7. The case according to claim 6, wherein a back side of the
stretch-release adhesive strip is secured to the upper surface of
the primary body member.
8. The case according to claim 7, wherein the back of the mobile
electronic device may be secured to an exposed upper surface of the
stretch-release adhesive strip, and when it is time to remove the
mobile electronic device from the case, a free end of the
stretch-release adhesive strip is engaged and stretched in a
direction of the long axis resulting in release of a back surface
of the mobile electronic device from the stretch-release adhesive
strip and ultimately the fifth section.
9. A case for a mobile electronic device, comprising: a primary
body member having an upper surface and a bottom surface shaped and
dimensioned to fit around an electronic device utilizing bend lines
or joints to wrap around edges of the electronic device and
utilizing stretch adhesive material to attach the case to the
mobile electronic device.
10. The case according to claim 9, wherein the bend lines or joints
are made by creases in a flexible material.
11. The case according to claim 9, wherein the upper surface and
the bottom surface of the case are made from paper, fabric, rubber
or leather.
12. The case according to claim 9, wherein the upper surface and
the bottom surface of the case are made from plastic.
13. The case according to claim 9, wherein the stretch adhesive
material is a strip with a pull tab to release it from the
electronic device.
14. The case according to claim 9, wherein the stretch adhesive
material is a pre-formed shape designed to match the dimensions of
the electronic device.
15. The case according to claim 9, wherein the stretch adhesive
material is manufactured with cuts or breaks to eliminate the need
for a pull tab by allowing the user to twist the device to activate
the release of the adhesion.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/513,873, entitled CASE FOR MOBILE
ELECTRONICS, filed Aug. 1, 2011.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to protective cases and covers for
mobile electronic devices. More particularly, the invention relates
to cases and covers that are attached to the mobile device by use
of stretch-release adhesive.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Although cases and covers attach to mobile devices by means
of embracing or enclosing the mobile device, they do not provide
users with a solution that eliminates foreign material covering at
least some part or area of the mobile device. While traditional
cases and covers for mobile electronic devices provide a protective
enclosure, they exhibit some key problems.
[0006] There are some cases for mobile electronic devices that are
in their appearance and function identical to a sleeve or bag. The
user has to remove the mobile electronic device from the case
completely in order to access and use the mobile electronic device.
This operation usually requires several steps; for example, opening
the case, pulling the mobile electronic device out of its enclosure
and, after having used the mobile electronic device, inserting the
mobile electronic device into the case and closing the case.
Procedures such as this leave the mobile electronic device exposed
while it is removed from its case.
[0007] Other cases or covers for mobile electronic devices either
completely enclose the mobile electronic device with a transparent
plastic sleeve or partially enclose the mobile electronic device
within a rigid plastic frame. In both cases the mobile electronic
device can be accessed without the need to remove it from its case,
but the full or partial enclosure of the mobile electronic device
impacts on the usability and visual appeal of the mobile electronic
device.
[0008] The complete enclosure with a transparent plastic sleeve,
for instance, impacts in the haptic quality of the interaction with
the mobile electronic device by reducing force-feedback when
pressing the buttons of the mobile electronic device through the
transparent plastic.
[0009] Furthermore, the transparent plastic enclosure often becomes
brittle and partially opaque due to wear and tear. The transparent
plastic enclosures also tend to collect dirt and dust in areas
which are less touched by the user.
[0010] A rigid plastic frame, in contrast, leaves most parts of the
mobile electronic device exposed and, therefore, overcomes some of
the above mentioned problems. The rigid plastic frame, however, is
visible from all sides of the mobile electronic device (because it
needs to "grab" the mobile electronic device in some way) and
therefore has a negative visual effect on the mobile electronic
device.
[0011] Another problem of the rigid plastic frame is its need to
firmly fit around the mobile electronic device and, therefore, is
suitable only for one specific model; it cannot accommodate a
mobile electronic device with a slight dimensional difference. This
means that a retailer of such cases needs to offer a broad range of
cases, each suitable for one specific mobile electronic device.
[0012] A problem of both the transparent plastic enclosure and the
rigid plastic frame model is the relative complexity of the
product: in both instances the case is composed of an outer cover
attached to a precisely dimensioned contraption to attach to the
mobile electronic device, which requires different tooling for each
model of the mobile electronic device (in the case of the rigid
plastic frame, one particular and expensive injection molding tool
is required for the IPhone.RTM. (mobile smart phone), another one
for the Blackberry.RTM. (mobile smart phone), a third one for the
Android.RTM. (mobile smart phone).
[0013] Mobile electronic devices are transported, carried and used
everywhere and prone to be damaged when dropped, scratched or
exposed to the environment. Usually these mobile electronic devices
are expensive to acquire or replace. Therefore users tend to carry
such mobile electronic devices in protective cases or covers. On
the other hand users do not want such protective covers or cases to
impact on the functionality/usability of the mobile electronic
device, nor do they want the cover or case to have a negative
visual impact on their mobile electronic device (also because of
the social status such device can cast on the user).
[0014] As such, the present invention has been developed to provide
a mechanism for attaching a mobile electronic device to a case or
cover which does not require a transparent plastic enclosure or a
rigid plastic frame or any sort of customized contraption. The
present invention utilizes stretch-release adhesive in combination
with a protective case to attach a mobile electronic device to a
case or cover. The inventive mechanism permits the mobile
electronic device to be attached to a case without any visible
contraption that may have a negative physical or visual impact on
the mobile electronic device. The stretch-release adhesive securely
attaches to the mobile electronic device and, if desired, can be
removed without damage to either the surface of the mobile
electronic device or the case (as other adhesives would do).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to
provide a case for a mobile electronic device. The case includes a
primary body member having an upper surface and a bottom surface.
The body member includes a long axis and a short axis with an upper
edge, a lower edge, a first lateral edge, and second lateral edge.
The body member further includes a first bend line, a second bend
line, a third bend line and a fourth bend line extending between
the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge. The first,
second, third and fourth bend lines divide the body member into a
first section, a second section, a third section, a fourth section
and a fifth section that cover and wrap about the mobile electronic
device when the case is wrapped about the mobile electronic device.
The first section extends from the upper edge to the first lateral
bend line along the long axis, the second section extends from the
first lateral bend line to the second lateral bend line along the
long axis, the third section extends from the second lateral bend
line to the third lateral bend line along the long axis, the fourth
section extends from the third lateral bend line to the fourth
lateral bend line along the long axis, and the fifth section
extends from the fourth lateral bend line to the lower edge along
the long axis. An adhesive strip is secured to the upper surface of
the body member in the area of the fifth section.
[0016] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a
case wherein the second section is shaped and dimensioned to wrap
about a first edge of the mobile electronic device when the case is
wrapped about the mobile electronic device.
[0017] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
case wherein the third section is shaped and dimensioned to fit
over the upper surface of the mobile electronic device when the
case is wrapped about the mobile electronic device.
[0018] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
case wherein the fourth section is shaped and dimensioned to wrap
about the second edge of the mobile electronic device when the case
is wrapped about the mobile electronic device.
[0019] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a
case wherein the fifth section is shaped and dimensioned to support
the base of the mobile electronic device when the case is wrapped
about the mobile electronic device
[0020] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
case wherein the adhesive strip is a stretch-release adhesive
strip.
[0021] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
case wherein a back side of the stretch-release adhesive strip is
secured to the upper surface of the body member.
[0022] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a
case wherein the back of the mobile electronic device may be
secured to an exposed upper surface of the stretch-release adhesive
strip, and when it is time to remove the mobile electronic device
from the case, a free end of the stretch-release adhesive strip is
engaged and stretched in the direction of the long axis resulting
in the release of the back surface of the mobile electronic device
from the stretch-release adhesive strip and ultimately the fifth
section.
[0023] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description when viewed
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth
certain embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a case in accordance with the
present invention with the stretch-release adhesive behind the
mobile electronic device visible.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a section view of the case in accordance with the
present invention including the mobile electronic device.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a detailed section view of the stretch-release
adhesive sandwiched in-between the mobile electronic device and the
case showing how pulling upon the stretch-release adhesive will
result in the release of the mobile electronic device.
[0027] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a case in accordance with an
alternate embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0028] The detailed embodiment of the present invention is
disclosed herein. It should be understood, however, that the
disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the invention, which
may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the details disclosed
herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis
for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the
invention.
[0029] In accordance with the present invention, and with reference
to the various figures disclosed herein, a case 10 for a mobile
electronic device 12 is disclosed. While the present case 10 is
disclosed as being adapted for use in conjunction with a
touchscreen type mobile electronic device, for example, an
IPhone.RTM., it is appreciated the present case 10 may be used in
conjunction with other mobile electronic devices requiring similar
protection.
[0030] The case 10 includes a primary body member 14. The body
member 14, when lying flat upon a horizontal surface, is
substantially rectangular with an upper surface 16 and a bottom
surface 18. The body member 14 is relatively thin (that is, thick
enough to provide the desired level of protection, but thin enough
to be aesthetically pleasing) and the thickness thereof constitutes
the distance between the bottom surface 18 and the upper surface
16. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the case 10 is made
from at least two materials, including one material specified to
provide strength and structural rigidity for the case and one
flexible material used to bend and wrap around the exterior of the
mobile electronic device. It is anticipated that natural and
environmentally friendly materials will be used, for example, paper
composites and natural fabrics such as hemp would provide ideal
materials for the manufacture of the present body member. Other
materials such as leather, synthetic leather, plastics or other
composites may also be used to provide the proper protection and
durability. It is appreciated other materials with similar
characteristics may be used without departing form the spirit of
the present invention.
[0031] With its rectangular shape, the body member 14 includes a
long axis and a short axis with an upper edge 20, a lower edge 22,
a first lateral edge 24, and second lateral edge 26. The body
member 14 is provided with four lateral bend lines 28, 30, 32, 34
extending between the first lateral edge 24 and the second lateral
edge 26. The four lateral bend lines 28, 30, 32, 34 divide the body
member 14 into multiple sections that cover and wrap about the
mobile electronic device 12 when the case 10 is wrapped about the
mobile electronic device 12. It is appreciated the four lateral
bend lines 28, 30, 32, 34 are flexible allowing pivoting between
adjacent body section, and the bend lines therefore may be
considered joints. As such, and in accordance with a preferred
embodiment, the four lateral bend lines (or joints) 28, 30, 32, 34
are defined or made by creases formed in the a flexible material
from which the body member 14 is formed. In particular, the first
section, that is, the coupling section 36, extends from the upper
edge 20 to the first lateral bend line 28 along the long axis.
Extending from the first lateral bend line 28 to the second lateral
bend line 30 along the long axis is the second section, or first
hinge section 38. The first hinge section 38 is shaped and
dimensioned to wrap about a first edge 40 of the mobile electronic
device 12 when the case 10 is wrapped about the mobile electronic
device 12. Extending from the second lateral bend line 30 to the
third lateral bend line 32 along the long axis is the third
section, or cover section 42. The cover section 42 is shaped and
dimensioned to fit over the upper surface (for example, the
interface screen) 44 of the mobile electronic device 12 when the
case 10 is wrapped about the mobile electronic device 12. Extending
from the third lateral bend line 32 to the fourth lateral bend line
34 along the long axis is the fourth section, or second hinge
section 46. The second hinge section 46 is shaped and dimensioned
to wrap about the second edge 50 of the mobile electronic device 12
when the case 10 is wrapped about the mobile electronic device 12.
Extending from the fourth lateral bend line 34 to the lower edge 22
along the long axis is the fifth section, or base section 48. The
base section 48 is shaped and dimensioned to support the base 52 of
the mobile electronic device 12 when the case 10 is wrapped about
the mobile electronic device 12.
[0032] When it is desired to protect the mobile electronic device
12 within the case 10, the coupling section 36 is pulled over the
interface screen 44 of the mobile electronic device 12, around the
first edge 40 of the mobile electronic device 12 and the lower edge
22 of the body member 14. At this point the upper surface 16 of the
body member 14 at the coupling section 36 is in facing relationship
with the bottom surface 18 of the body member 14 at the base
section 48 adjacent the lower edge of the body member 14, and the
first hinge section 38 is wrapped about the first edge 40 of the
mobile electronic device 12 and the second hinge section 38 is
wrapped about the second edge 50 of the mobile electronic device
12. With the coupling section 36 facing the base section 48, the
coupling section 36 is secured thereto. In accordance with a
preferred embodiment, magnets 54a, 54b are secured within the
coupling section 36 and the base section 48 for facilitating
selectively releasable attachment of the coupling section to the
base section. When it is desired to access the mobile electronic
device 12, the coupling section 36 is detached from the base
section 48 and the case 10 is opened.
[0033] In order to ensure secure attachment of the mobile
electronic device 12 to the base section 48, the upper surface 16
of the body member 14 in the area of the base section 48 is
provided with a stretch adhesive material in the form of a
stretch-release adhesive strip 56 (that is, the stretch-release
adhesive strip 56 is positioned within the base section 48), the
back side 62 of which is secured to the upper surface 16 of the
body member 14. The stretch-release adhesive strip 56 is of a
pre-formed shape designed to match the dimensions of the mobile
electronic device 12. It is appreciated stretch-release adhesives
are adhesive tapes which can be cleanly removed from a surface by
stretching the tape to actuate clean removal from the material to
which it is bound. Such adhesives are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,516,581 and 6,106,937, which are incorporated herein by
reference. For example, it is appreciated TESA Powerstrips.RTM.,
stretch-release adhesive strip or 3M Command.RTM. products may be
used in accordance with the present invention. Briefly, these
stretch-release adhesives come in a strip form and include a highly
extensible and substantially inelastic backing and a layer of
pressure sensitive adhesive. When applied to a support surface, the
adhesive tape strip becomes firmly bonded thereto, but can be
easily removed without damaging the support surface by simply
stretching the tape.
[0034] In this way, the back of the mobile electronic device 12 may
be secured to the exposed upper surface 64 of the stretch-release
adhesive strip 56, and ultimately the body member 14 by simply
pressing it downwardly upon the base section 48. When it is time to
remove the mobile electronic device 12 from the case 10, the free
end 60 of the stretch-release adhesive strip 56, which is
adhesively coupled to neither the back of the mobile electronic
device 12 of the upper surface 16 of the body member 14, is engaged
and stretched in the direction of the long axis (see FIG. 3). This
will result in the release of the back surface 52 of the mobile
electronic device 12 from the stretch-release adhesive strip 56 and
ultimately the base section 48.
[0035] It is also anticipated that other shapes of stretch adhesive
materials, in addition to the commonly produced strips, may be
utilized. The stretch adhesive material may be formed or cut into a
shape to more precisely match the shape of the electronic device.
Furthermore, and with reference to the embodiment disclosed in FIG.
4, the stretch-release adhesive strip 56 may contain cuts or breaks
57 in portions of the adhesive material while the remaining
elements of the case remain the same. In this way it would be
possible to avoid the use of a pull tab. The mobile electronic
device 12 could be removed from the stretch-release adhesive strip
56 via a twisting motion that would effectively break the bond of
the stretch-release adhesive strip 56 given the cuts or breaks 57
in the material.
[0036] The present invention resolves a concrete and significant
disadvantage of existing cases or covers for electronic devices by
using stretch-release adhesive instead of mechanical mechanisms for
attaching the mobile electronic device to the case. Almost anyone
who uses a mobile phone, mp3-player or similar is--at least at some
stage--worried that he might drop or damage the mobile electronic
device in one or the other way and therefore longs to put in place
some type of protective cover. Usually a mobile electronic device
appeals to its user prior to the purchase due to its over-all
appearance, haptic quality and/or visual style. Some or all of
those initial triggers of appeal are lost if the mobile electronic
device is covered and buried in or under some clear plastic cover
or partially hidden within a skeleton of a rigid plastic frame. The
present invention provides a mechanism to produce a case or cover
that protects a mobile electronic device in transit, but does not
interfere with the haptics or the appearance of such mobile
electronic device. The present invention allows the user to protect
his/her device without significant impact on either visual
appearance or haptic experience.
[0037] While the preferred embodiments have been shown and
described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit
the invention by such disclosure, but rather, is intended to cover
all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the
spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *